CHESTER FC boss Neil Young is adamant the key to league and cup success this season is strength in depth. The Blues, who missed out on going top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division after Wednesday night’s defeat at Bradford Park Avenue, remain red-hot favourites for promotion in April.

Young’s men turn their attentions to the FA Trophy this afternoon when they entertain Stafford Rangers at the Exacta Stadium (3pm) and the manager says use of the full squad comes into play in such situations.

Chester were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw last weekend before the midweek reverse in West Yorkshire and Young says it is imperative he gets those on the fringes fully fit as they play their second of six games in November today.

“We’re certainly not going to win anything with the same 11 players so what we’ve got to do is use the squad to its full potential.

“Given the amount of games we’ve got coming up, at the moment that means getting the lads who have been out injured up to speed.

“But there’s no point in judging these lads on one-off performances like against Frickley on Saturday. Try not playing for the best part of a month or six weeks, it’s difficult.

“If we were full-time we could get them up to speed in the week in training and arrange behind-closed-doors games. We don’t have that luxury so that’s why we’re trying to give our players as many minutes as and when we can, but at the same time try to keep winning games.

“I know people would like us to keep it ‘same as’ every week, but in reality you don’t win anything without a good squad.

“That’s why we need to get someone like Jerome Wright, an excellent player who’s not played many games for us, fully fit as he’ll be a massive asset.”

Director of football Steve Ashton, meanwhile, has decided to step down from his role at the club.